Typographical composing machine



July 3 1934 J. H. HILPMAN TYPOGRAVHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE 2 i 1g. VEA/TOR m' M7570@ Eys July 3, 1934- J. H, HILPMAN 1 TYPOQRAPHICAL coMPosING MACHINE 2 shetsLsheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 193:5

INVENTOR CIE Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE John H. Hilpman, Hollis, N. Y., assigner' to Mergenthalcr Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Application January 4, 1933, Serial No. 650,054

18 Claims.

This invention relates to typographical composing machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. 436,532, wherein circulating matrices and expansible spacebands are released from separate magazines by the manipulation of a keyboard and then composed in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices and spacebands thereafter elevated and returned by suit-able mechanisms to the magazines from which they started. y

The release of the matrices is effected bya series of matrix releasing devices including a corresponding number of depressible iinger keys (usually ninety in number) bearing the different characters of the corresponding matrices, where as the release of the spacebands (which are all alike) is effected by a single blank iinger key. In the commercial machines,` there are usually included blank spacing matrices or quads of three different thicknesses commonly known as em, en, and thin spacers. These three different spacers are contained in the regular matrix storage magazine and are released therefrom each by the actuation of an independent finger key. v

Certain classes of composition require for each line an extraordinary amount of spacing for which the spacebands alone are not adapted, and for which the spacers are used. For instance, in certain types of composition for book and advertising purposes, it is sometimes desirable to space words or portions of the lines several ems apart, or to space out one or both ends of the line to such extent that se-veral spacers are required. At the same time, i"t is necessary, for purposes of justication, to compose the required number of expansible spacebands in the line, and the composition of each spacer and each spaceband requires the separate actuation or depression of a finger key. Furthermore' it may be desired at times to compose lines of matrices including several spacers without including eX- pansible spacebands, as when a line is to be quadded out at either or both ends, or centered and quadded out.

The object of the present invention is to facilitate the composition of lines of matrices for the special classes of work referred to, and to this end, means is provided wherebyl the releaseV of the em, en and thin spacers may be effected by the actuation of the spaccband releasing finger key. More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of three independently controlled connecting links, one for each of the spacer releasing finger keys, connected with the spaceband key and movable at will into engagement with the spacer releasing keys, whereby the latter may be connected so that when the spaceband key is actuated to release a spaceband any one or any combination of the spacer releasing keys will be actuated to release corresponding spacers. In addition, means is provided to prevent the release of a spaceband without preventing the actuation of the spaceband key, whereby the latter may be actuated to release any one or any combination of the spacers Without releasing a spaceband.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely by way of example and in preferred form, and obviously many variations and modications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any particular form or embodiment, vexcept insofar as such limitations are specied in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a linotype machine with the present improvements applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the improved keyboard mechanism and matrix releasing devices; and

. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the keyboard mechanism, showing the connection betweenA the spaceband releasing key and one of the spacer releasing keys.

The matrices X and spacebands Y (see Fig. l) are stored in the respective magazines X1, Y1 and are released therefrom for composition in line by the regular power operated devices which constitute part of the keyboard mechanism. These devices include a series of upright reeds A, a corresponding series of vertical slides A1, and intermediate cam yokes A2, each yoke being pivotally mounted at one end in the usual manner on a pin passing through fthe opening A3 and having its other end sustained by means of a trip dog A44 connectedto the corresponding slide A1, the cam A5 carried by each yoke being in engaging relation to an underlying constantly driven rubber covered roll A6. (Ordinarily, there are two banks of cams and two rollers, arranged on opposite sides of the reeds, but to understand the present invention it is only necessary to show a `Way by the underlying cam yoke A2. vticular reed A3, as may be observed (Fig. l), is

portion of this structure.) The arrangement is such that as the slides A1 are raised, the cams A5 are allowed to drop into peripheral contact with the roll A5, and by their consequent rotation, lift the yokes A2 which, in turn, operate the reeds A. All of the vslides A1, except the one at the right which is designated A7, are connected to the rear ends of the matrix releasing linger keys B (Fig. l), which are disposed in rows or tiers at diierent levels, being pivotally mounted for vertical movement on transverse rods passing through the openings B1 in the keys B, and supported at their opposite ends by the side plates C3 and C1 of the keyboard C. The keyboard includes, as usual, a supporting frame C1, the two side plates C3, C1, the inclined front plate C5, and top plate C5.

The uppermost row or tier of linger keys B includes three keys F, F1 and F2 located centrally of the keyboard and operable through slides A1, cams A5 and reeds A to release the em, en and thin spacers, respectively, from the mattriX storage magazine. It is with these three spacer releasing keys and associated parts thatV the invention is particularly concerned, as will presently appear.`

The actuating slide A7 is connected to an arm D keyed or otherwise secured to a horizontal rock shaft D1, which extends completely across the keyboard, and is journalled in the side plates C3, C1 thereof. The arm D is located at one end of the shaft D1 adjacent the inner wall of the right side plate C3, and at its other end, the shaft `is provided with a lever arm or finger key D2,

located adjacent the outer wall of the left side plate C4. In the arrangement shown, therefore, the arm D, rock shaft D1, and finger piece D2, together constitute the spaceband releasing key,

which however, may also include (as is Yusually the case) a second finger piece or finger key attached to the shaft D at the right of theA keyboard C, or even a third finger piece at the top of the keyboard in the nature of a universal bar extending entirely across the keyboard (as is also frequently the case).

When the spaceband key D2 is actuated, the slide A'I is raised by the 'arm D, and the reed A3 directly above the slide is operated in the usual This parconsiderably shorter than the other reeds A, and is connected at its upper end by a horizontal lever D3 to the escapement actuating arm Y2 of the magazine Y1, which escapement controls the re- J lease of the spacebands Y. The lever D3 is pivotally mounted as at D1, and is rocked about its pivot in a counterclockwise direction when the right hand end is raised by the upward movement of the reed A2. A tension spring D5, one end of which is secured to the right arm of the lever D3 and thel other end of which is suitably fastened to a stationary part of the machine, serves to rock the lever D3 in a clockwise direction to return and maintain the lever, the spaceband escapement mechanism, and the reed A3 in their normal inactive positions.

As before stated, means is provided by the present invention whereby the ern, en and thin spacer releasing devices may be connected singly, or collectively in any combination, to the spaceb'and releasing finger key for actuation thereby. In the preferredernbodiment illustrated, the iinger keys, F, F1 and F2 are formed rearwardly of their pivot points B1 with slots F5 these slotsbeing adapted to receivefpins El1 protruding laterally from the free ends of a series of connecting links in the form of crank arms E, E1 and E2 slidably mounted on the rock shaft D1, and which pins normally occupy a position clear of but in horizontal alignment with the slots F5. Each of the crank arms E, E1 and E2 is formed with a slot E3 adapted to receive a pin E4 projecting from the shaft D1, which pin and slot connections limit the sliding movement of the crank arms on the shaft. Connected to the respective crank arms are three rods E5, E5, and E2, extending toward the right and having their ends upturned to proj ect through elongated slots E8 formed in the top plate C6 of the keyboard C, the ends of the rods being fitted with handles or knobs E3. In order that the rods E5 and E5 may be secured to the crank arms E and E1, respectively, without being bent, the crank arm E1 is formed with a groove E10 in its front edge, and the crank arm E2 is formed with similar grooves in both its front and rear edges, these grooves being of suiiicient size and shape to receive the rods E5 and E6 and provide enough clearance to avoid conflict between the rods and the crank arms as the latter are rocked with the shaft D1.`

As before stated, the free end of each of the crank arms is provided with a pin E" in horizontal alignment with the slot F5 formed in the adjacent one of the finger keys F, F1 and F2, controlling the release of the em, en and thin spacers. When the crank arms occupy their right hand position, the pins E11 are located out of engagement therewith, but when the crank arms are moved to the left, the pins enter the slots F5 in the finger keys and form a connection between the rock shaft D1 and the keys, whereby the latter ulrlillfbe actuated by the rocking movement of the s a t.

Referring to Fig. 3, wherein the relation of the parts is more clearly shown, it will be seen that the slots F5 in the keys F, F1 and F2 are located some distance behind the openings or pivotal points B1 of the keys, and that these slots are located tothe rear (to the right in Fig. 3) of the f shaft D1, so that the depression of the spaceband releasing key D2, by rotating the shaft D1 in a clockwise direction, acts through the crank arms to raise the rear portions of the keys F, F1 and F2, just as if they were actuated directly. Of course, the arrangement of the crank arms could be reversed, and their connection with the keys located forward of the pivot point, so that the clockwise rocking of the shaft D1 would act to depress the forward portions of the keys.

As already stated, means have also been provided for preventing the release of spacebands Y from their storage magazine Y1 when it is desired to compose a line of matrices without spacebands. In the commercial machines, the spacebands Y are retained in the magazine Y1 with the foremost band in position to be released by Aescapement mechanism actuated by a pair of vertically movable arms Y2 and Y3. The operation of the arms Y2 and Y37 is effected by the spaceband key D2, which, when actuated, causes the lever D3 to be rocked in a counterclockwise direction, thereby permitting the arms to move downwardly and in so doing operate the escapement mechanism to release a spaceband, the parts being immediately returned to normal position by the spring D5, as already set forth.

According to the present invention, an interponent Y1 is pivotally attached to the magazine Y1 at a point below the front arm Y3,and is provided with a handle or knob Y5 by which it may be readily moved into and out of active position. The interponent Y4 is shown in Fig. 1 as occupying its inactive position, in which case the actuation of the spaceband key D2 will elect the release of a spaceband. However, when the 'mterponent is moved into engagement with the arm Y3 to maintain the latter in its upper or nonreleasing position, the actuation of the spaceband key D2 will operate as usual to rock the level D3, but the interponent Y1 will hold the arm Y3 against downward movement and thus prevent the release of a spaceband.

It will now be clear that in the operation of the machine, if it be desired to compose in line a spaceband and any one or any combinatio-n of the em, en and thin spacers, the operator, by moving the selected handle or handles E9 toward the left, thereby connects the corresponding key or keys F, F1 and F2 to the rock shaft D1. The depression of the key D2, through the rock shaft D1 and whichever of the crank arms E, E1, or E2 have been moved into engagement with their respective keys, will simultaneously actuate those keys, and thus simultaneously effect the release of a spaceband and o-ne or more spacers. If, on the other hand, it is desired to release any one, or any combination of the spacers, without releasing a spaceband, the interponent Y1 may be moved into active position to prevent the operation of the spaceband escapement mechanism, and hence prevent the release of a spaceband without in any way interfering with the actuation of the spaceband key D2.

One advantage of the present invention not heretofore pointed out, and which will now be more readily appreciated, resides in the fact that the spacers may be used with or without spacebands, and in either case, the operator, who has acquired a certain rhythm of composition, merely actuates the spaceband key D2 as though to compose a spaceband, but instead composes a spaceband and one or more spacers, or the desired number of spacers alone, without having interrupted the rhythm of composition to which he is accustomed.

In the embodiment shown and described, the direct connection between the spaceband key and spacer keys permits of the actuation of the latter by the former, or vice versa. In other words, the

` in any way aiecting said keys.

actuation of all those finger keys which are connected together may be effected by the actuation o-f any one of the keys. Also, the spaceband releasing mechanism may be locked against operation so that spacers alone will be released by the actuation of the spaceband key as well as by the spacer keys.

However, it is also within the spirit of the invention to arrange the parts so that the release of spacers and spacebands could be eiected by the actuation of either the spaceband key or the spacer keys, but not both. For instance, the arrangement could be such that the pins E11 would overlie the finger keys F, F1 and F2, in which event actuation of the spacer keys would operate through the crank arms E, E1 and E2 to rock the shaft D1 and effect the release of a spaceband, whereas actuation of the spaceband key D2 would move the pins E11 carried by the crank arms away from the spacer keys without On the other hand, with the parts arranged so that the pins E11 would lie beneath the spacer keys, the latter could then be actuated by the actuation of the spaceband key without allowing the latter key to be affected by the actuation of the spacer keys.

a series of matrix releasing ringer keys, a spaceband releasing linger key, and means whereby the spaceband releasing key may be connected directly to a selected plurality ofthe matrix releasing keys, said connections acting to transmit the normal actuating movement of one key to the others to bring about their conjoint operation.

2. A keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines including, in combination, a series of matrix releasing nger keys, la spaceband releasing ringer key, and means whereby the spaceband releasing key may be connected directly to any selected plurality of the matrix releasing keys, said connections acting to transmit the normal actuating movement of o-ne key to the others to bring about their conjoint operation.

3. A keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines including, in combination, a series of matrix releasing linger keys, a spaceband releasing finger key, and means whereby the spaceband -releasing key may be connecte-d directly to different selected pluralities of the matrix releasing keys, said connections acting to trans-mit the normal actuating movement of one key to the others to bring about their conjoint operation.

Il. A keyboard mechanism for typographical-1 composing machines including, in combination, a series of matrix releasing nger keys, a spaceband releasing nger key, and means whereby the spaceband releasing key may be connected directly to a selected matrix releasing key or a selected plurality of said keys, as desired, said connections acting to transmit the normal actuating movement of one key to the others to bring band releasing iinger key, and means whereby the spaceband releasing key may be connected directly to any selected matrix releasing key o-r any selected plurality of said keys, as desired, said connections acting to transmit the normal `actuating movement of one key to the others to bring about their conjoint operation.

6. A keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines including, in combination, a series of matrix releasing finger keys, a spaceband releasing fingerl key, and means whereby the spaceband releasing key may be connected directly to dilierent selected matrix releasing keys or to different selected pluralities of said keys, as desired, said connections acting to transmit the normal actuating movement of one key to the others to bring about their conjoint operation.

7. A keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines including, in combination, a frame, a series of matrix releasing nger keys pivotally mounted in said frame, a rock shaft extending at right angles to said keys and journalled in said frame, a spaceband releasing linger key for rocking said shaft, and means on said shaft adapted to be moved at will into engagement with the matrix releasing iinger keys, whereby the actuation of the spaceband releasing key in rocking said shaft will effect the actuation of the matrix releasing finger keys connected therewith.

8. A keyboard mechanism as set forth in claim '7, wherein the means for connecting the pivotally mounted keys to the rock shaft comprises a plurality of crank-arms secured to the shaft and provided each with a pin adapted to engage in a slot formed in the key with which it is associated.

9. A keyboard mechanism as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for connecting the pivotally mounted keys to the rock shaft comprises a plurality of independently controlled crank arms slidably mounted on the shaft and provided each with a pin adapted to engage in a slot formed in the key with which it is associated.

10. A keyboard mechanism as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for connecting the pivotally mounted keys to the rock shaft comprises a plurality of crank arms slidably mounted on the shaft and provided each with a pin adapted to engage in a slot formed in the key with which it is associated, and control means for the crank arms whereby any one or any combination of the series of finger keys may be connected for actuation by the rotation of the rock shaft.

11. A keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, including, in combination, a series of matrix releasing finger keys, a spaceband releasing nger key, and means for connecting one or more of said matrix releasing keys positively to the spaceband key, whereby the actuation of the spaceband releasing key will effect the actuation of the connected matrix releasing key or keys, or vice versa.

12. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine having a supply of spacebands, means for retaining the spacebands in the magazine, means operable to effect the release of the spacebands from the magazine, means for actuating said releasing means, and means to prevent the operation of said releasing means without preventing the action of said actuating means.

13. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a magazine having a supply of spacebands, means for retaining the spacebands in the magazine, means operable to effect the release of the spacebands from the magazine, a depressible finger key for actuating said releasing means, and an interponent movable into position to engage with and prevent the operation of said releasing means without preventing the depression of the linger key.

14. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of an independently operable matrix releasing device, an independently operable spaceband releasing device, and means for positively connecting the matrix releasing device with the spaceband releasing device, whereby the operation of either of said devices will effect the operation of both.

l5. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a series of independently operable matrix releasing devices, an independently operable spaceband releasing device, and means for positively connecting a plurality of the matrix releasing devices with the spaceband releasing device, whereby the operation of any one of said connected devices will effect the operation of all.

16. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of independently operable matrix releasing devices, an independently operable spaceband releasing device, means for effecting the operation of any one of said plurality of matrix releasing devices by the operation of the spaceband releasing device, and means to prevent the release of a spaceband when the spaceband releasing device is operated.

17. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of independently operable matrix releasing devices, an independently operable spaceband releasing device, means for effecting the simultaneous operation of any one or more of said plurality of matrix releasing devices by the operation of the spaceband releasing device, and means to prevent the release of a spaceband when the spaceband releasing device 1s operated.

18. In a typographical composing machine, the combination of a plurality of independently operable matrix releasing devices, an independently operable spaceband releasing device, independent means for connecting each of said matrix releasing devices to the spaceband releasing device, whereby any individual matrix releasing device or any combination of said plurality of matrix releasing devices may be connected to the spaceband releasing device for operation thereby, and means to prevent the release of a spaceband by the oper-` ation of the spaceband releasing device.

JOHN H. HILPMAN. 

